The cold weather is here! Whether you love it or simply endure it, this chilly season is with us for a while. But knowing there are plenty of great spots to find amazing hot chocolate in Boston makes things more bearable! Check out any of these indulgent cups for your hot cocoa fix — with extra whipped cream, please!
L.A. Burdick Chocolate Shop & Tea Room
220 Clarendon Street, Boston (Back Bay)
52 Brattle Street, Cambridge (Harvard Square)
1330 Beacon Street, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
An icon in Harvard Square for many years, Burdick’s also has locations in Back Bay and — opening this month — in Brookline! The tea room, which is part of the chocolate shop, has a variety of “drinking chocolates” on the menu that are unlike any hot chocolate you’ve tasted before.
Beacon Hill Books and Cafe
71 Charles Street, Boston (Beacon Hill)
Take a shopping break on picturesque Charles Street for a stop at this beautiful bookstore, and relax with brunch or lunch at their cafe. Kids will love browsing the children’s level of the bookstore after you sample the hot cocoa. Reservations are recommended at the cafe during busy hours.
Cacao
570 Columbus Ave, Boston (South End)
23 Lincoln Street, Newton
After you’ve tried this comforting cup of hot chocolate — complete with whipped cream and flakes of fresh dark chocolate on top — you’ll want to take a mix home with you! Their hot cocoas include regular, dark chocolate, spicy, and even iced for those who brave cold drinks in the winter.
Caffé Vittoria
290-296 Hanover Street, Boston (North End)
This quaint North End dessert spot offers delicious Italian-style hot chocolate — the perfect treat to enjoy during your post-dinner stroll.
Flour Bakery & Cafe
Locations in Boston and Cambridge (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Cambridgeport, Central Square, Harvard Square,, Seaport, South End)
Award-winning chef Joanne Chang’s hot chocolate is super rich thanks to chocolate ganache! In this cup, bittersweet Belgian chocolate is mixed with cream then steamed with milk until hot and frothy.
La Saison Bakery
407 Concord Avenue, Cambridge
Opening soon in Charlestown!
One of my favorite bakeries for its sourdough loaf, La Saison’s comforting cafe offers a wide variety of bread and plenty of sweet treats. Their hot chocolate pairs perfectly with a slice of their lovely tea cake, a French croissant, or a scone.
Oakleaf Cakes Bake Shop
12 Westland Avenue, Boston (Fenway)
Try their hot chocolate for one simple reason — the gigantic homemade marshmallow! Oakleaf serves two different varieties of hot chocolate — a regular version and a spicy Aztec hot chocolate with hints of cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a little kick.
Paris Creperie
278 Harvard Street, Brookline (Coolidge Corner)
Where else can you find pure hot chocolate made with Nutella?! They also offer a stone mill version using local Taza chocolate — both are excellent choices!
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Hingham, Lexington, Newton, Somerville
Tatte’s hot chocolate is made with Valrhona chocolate, and it is rich and decadent. Pair it with a delicious pastry or sandwich, and relax in one of their cafes.
1369 Coffee House
1369 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
757 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
One of Cambridge’s finest coffee shops now has two locations! Settle in to the cool vibe to relax and savor the homemade hot chocolate whipped up with Dutch-process cocoa — or try a Mexican hot chocolate spiced with coriander and cinnamon.
Thinking Cup
165 Tremont Street, Boston (Boston Common)
236 Hanover Street, Boston (North End)
85 Newbury Street, Boston (Back Bay)
With several locations around the city, there’s likely to be one nearby if you’re looking for a place to warm up during a downtown adventure. Grab breakfast or lunch, and enjoy a French hot chocolate made with luxurious Taïnori Valrhona drinking chocolate.
Trident Booksellers and Cafe
338 Newbury Street, Boston
While your kids browse the books, you can sip on Trident’s chocolatino. It’s truly a step above — espresso mixed with steamed chocolate milk and topped with whipped cream, cocoa, and chocolate syrup. For your kids, or those less adventurous, you’ll also find regular hot chocolate and white hot chocolate on the menu. It’s a great place to linger for lunch as well!
This article was originally published in 2019 and was updated in 2024.
